LIST OF REASONS

Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy as the next Archbishop of Washington, DC, because of the need for continuity of Pope Francis' focus on social justice, environmental stewardship, and inclusion of marginalized groups within the Church, including LGBTQ Catholics, as Donald Trump returns.  Cardinal McElroy, 70, known for his outspoken support of migrants and criticism of Donald Trump’s policies, will succeed Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who made history as the first African-American Archbishop of Washington.   McElroy’s alignment with Pope Francis’ progressive agenda has been evident throughout his career. During Trump’s first term, then-Bishop McElroy delivered a powerful speech in Modesto, California, urging Catholics to challenge anti-immigrant policies. He called on the faithful to become “disruptors” against actions that he claimed sought to militarize communities, separate families, and demonize refugees. His critique of Trump’s immigration stance was p...

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has revealed the cause of death of renowned writer and director Jeff Baena, confirming that he died by suicide. Baena, known for his unique contributions to the film industry with works like "Life After Beth" and "The Little Hours", was found deceased at his Los Angeles residence last week. He was 47 years old. His passing has left a significant void in both his professional collaborations and personal relationships.   Baena was married to actress and comedian Aubrey Plaza, with whom he had shared a personal and creative partnership since 2011. The couple officially tied the knot in 2021 after a decade-long relationship. Their collaborative projects included the horror-comedy "Life After Beth" (2014) and the historical comedy "The Little Hours" (2017). More recently, they worked together on the 2021 television series "Cinema Toast" and the 2022 film "Spin Me Round". Plaza, who w...

Chief Izzi Yakiah, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, has praised former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, for his pivotal role in preventing the state from succumbing to one-party dominance. Speaking in Abuja, Yakiah, who also coordinates the Niger Delta Media Activists Group and the Excellent Leadership Foundation, highlighted Sylva’s unwavering commitment to the APC despite significant political challenges.   Yakiah noted that while some politicians in Bayelsa compromised party principles for personal benefit, Sylva remained steadfast in upholding the party's vision and ensuring its presence in the state. He described Sylva as a beacon of modern democracy in Bayelsa, crediting him with maintaining political plurality since 2013. According to Yakiah, Sylva’s leadership and conviction in the APC's ideals and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda have kept the party resilient against int...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his unconventional suggestion that Canada should consider merging with the United States, offering economic and security benefits as key motivations. Trump's remarks followed the resignation announcement by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.   In a social media post on Monday, Trump argued that such a union would eliminate tariffs and significantly reduce taxes for Canadians. He further emphasized enhanced security, claiming that a merger would protect Canada from the perceived threats posed by Russian and Chinese naval activity near its borders. "Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!" Trump exclaimed, highlighting his enthusiasm for the potential union.

Manchester United’s performance at Anfield against league leaders Liverpool highlighted both the potential of Ruben Amorim’s coaching and the questionable timing of his appointment. United, struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League table, pulled off a determined 2-2 draw, nearly clinching a victory in a thrilling encounter. This result marked a turning point in a season that had seen disappointing results, but it also reignited discussions about whether Amorim should have been hired earlier. According to Goal, Amorim should have been hired six months ago because he needed time to send his tactical philosophy across to players. Six months ago, Manchester United faced mounting pressure under Erik ten Hag. The decision to delay Amorim’s appointment limited his ability to instill his tactical philosophy effectively. The congested fixture list left him with only a few training sessions to work with the squad, hampering their cohesion. In contrast, the lead-up to the Liverpool clas...

Media reports suggest that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may soon announce his resignation, marking the end of his nine-year tenure as the leader of Canada’s governing Liberal Party due to growing political challenges and a steep decline in public support. According to The Globe and Mail, Trudeau could make his intentions known before meeting his party caucus on Wednesday. This move would allow him to step down on his own terms rather than being perceived as ousted by his Members of Parliament (MPs). However, sources indicate that he has not yet reached a final decision on his future, and it remains unclear whether he will leave office immediately or stay until a successor is chosen. The speculation about Trudeau’s departure is intensified by his party's waning popularity. Recent polls indicate that the Liberal Party is trailing significantly, facing the likelihood of defeat in an upcoming general election. A September Ipsos survey revealed that only 26% of respondents fav...

A senior Hamas official has stated that the key reason why a ceasefire agreement has not been achieved in the ongoing Israel-Palestine war was Israel's obstinacy. Central to the stalled negotiations is the issue of hostages held by Hamas since the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The official provided a list of 34 hostages that Hamas is reportedly willing to release as part of a potential ceasefire deal. The list includes women, older men aged between 50 and 85, young children previously declared dead after an Israeli airstrike, and individuals in poor health. However, the fate of many on the list remains unknown. Despite the disclosure, Israel's government rejected claims that Hamas had formally provided the list. The Israeli prime minister’s office stated that the list circulating in the media originated from Israel and was passed to intermediaries as early as July 2024, with no subsequent confirmation from Hamas. This dispute underscores the lack of trust between th...

The ongoing political turmoil in South Korea has deepened as anti-graft investigators struggle to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, whose arrest warrant is set to expire. Investigators sought an extension of the warrant after facing significant resistance during previous attempts to detain him. The crisis stems from Yoon’s refusal to cooperate with questioning over a botched martial law decree last month, a move that briefly suspended civilian governance and plunged the nation into its worst constitutional crisis in decades. Yoon, a former top prosecutor known for his defiance, remains barricaded in his residence under heavy security. Hundreds of guards from the Presidential Security Service have surrounded the premises, effectively preventing his arrest. Despite mounting pressure, Yoon has declined to surrender or engage with the authorities. His legal team has challenged the legitimacy of the arrest warrant, labeling it as "unlawful" and vowing further legal action....

The Labour Party (LP) has confidently declared its ability to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election without forming a coalition, attributing its optimism to strong grassroots support and a growing appeal among Nigerians. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this assertion while dismissing recent speculations about a potential alliance with Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He emphasized that the Labour Party had not been invited to any coalition talks and remained focused on its independent path to power. Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Ifoh highlighted the party’s performance as evidence of its potential to challenge and unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) without external alliances. According to him, millions of Nigerians supported the Labour Party’s vision and voted for change, demonstrating that the party could stand alone ...

The Federal Government has announced the activation of stringent surveillance measures for inbound passengers from China due to the recent surge in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, a respiratory virus currently affecting parts of the country. The decision comes as reports from China highlight overcrowded hospitals, emergency measures, and heightened public anxiety. This situation has particularly impacted northern provinces, where a noticeable rise in infections among children under 14 has raised alarms. Neighboring countries like Taiwan, Cambodia, and Hong Kong have also started monitoring the spread of HMPV, although they have not reported major outbreaks. In China, health authorities are emphasizing public health measures, including mask mandates, social distancing, and enhanced sanitation, to mitigate the virus’s spread. Officials describe this wave of respiratory illness as a typical seasonal occurrence. Despite growing public concern, the Chinese government has stated that the...